AFRICAN PALM KERNEL MEAL ON NILE TILAPIA - PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

To evaluate the nutritional value of African palm kernel meal (Elaeis guineensis) on the performance of Nile tilapia (Oseochromis niloticus) , five isonitrogenous (30% crude protein), isoenergetic (2,800 Kcal/kg of digestible energy), and isofibrous (10% crude fiber) diets, with i ncreasing levels of African palm kernel meal (0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35% ) were fed ad libitum for 18 weeks to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloti cus) fingerlings, averaging 1.52 +/- 0.04 g of body weight, housed for 120 days in 60 liter aquaria with six fingerlings. To determine the p roduction traits, weight gain, apparent food conversion, specific grow th rate, protein efficiency ratio, weight gain percentage, net protein utilization, and body composition, fish were weighted at six-week int ervals. Statistical analysis of recorded data were performed through m ultivariate profile analysis and polynomial regression models. Results showed that feeding fingerling Nile tilapia with ratios containing up to 35% of African palm kernel meal does not affect production perform ance.